Catalyst recycle in the carbonylation of isobutylphenylethanol to ibuprofen

Abstract From the Canadian patent

In the carbonylation of isobutylphenyl ethanol to ibuprofen in the presence of a phosphine ligand-stabilized palladium catalyst, it has been found that the catalyst complex will precipitate from the organic phase of the carbonylation reaction which includes the ibuprofen product. Precipitation of the catalyst is facilitated by removing the aqueous phase from the reaction and removing any solvents from the organic phase. The precipitated complex catalyst can be recycled without further treatment.